WhatsApp announced new privacy options that give users more control over their messages and add layers of protection. The Meta-owned company stated that it will also launch a campaign to inform people about the new features. WhatsApp offers other privacy features such as end-to-end encryption messaging, calling for individuals and businesses, and even call recording.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO and Founder, announced that WhatsApp will offer three new privacy features for users. You can now exit group chats and not notify everyone, limit who can see your online activity, and block screenshots from being visible once you have sent messages. Zuckerberg stated in a statement that “we’ll continue building new ways to secure your messages and keep them private and secure like face-to-face conversation.” Both Android and iOS users can access the privacy features.
You can leave groups silently: With this feature, users will be able to quit a group without notifying everyone (except the administrators). The current way to notify everyone in a group when you leave is via a bubble that says “[your name/number] left”. This feature will be available to all users starting this month.
WhatsApp allows users to choose who can see your messages when you’re online. This is especially useful in situations where you need to view your messages privately. You might have several friends who are messaging you about a weekend plan, but you haven’t made a decision yet and haven’t replied to their messages. Your WhatsApp friends can see your other messages and know that you are not replying to them. This could put you in a sticky spot.
You can now keep your online identity private with the new WhatsApp feature. This feature will be available to all users starting this month.
Screenshot blocking for View Once Messages: This feature extends the “View Once” feature of WhatsApp. Even though the “View Once” feature is not active on phones, people will often try to keep a log of conversations. Users tend to take screenshots because the “View Once” feature doesn’t allow for a permanent digital record. To add an extra layer of protection, the new feature allows screenshot blocking for “View Once” messages. This feature is currently being tested and will soon be available to users.
WhatsApp stated that while 72 percent value the ability to communicate in an honest and unfiltered manner, more than 47 percent prefer that this can be done in a private, secure environment. This supports the effectiveness of these privacy features. WhatsApp stated that they found that people are more cautious online and place privacy in private messages higher than emails, texts, or social media. WhatsApp also stated that 51 percent prefer to remain anonymous online in order to choose the people they wish to speak to. 91 percent of those who have been informed about blocking features consider them important.
These privacy features add to the existing protections provided by WhatsApp. The platform provides end-to end protection for calls, messages, disappearing messages and self-destruct messages, end-to end encrypted backups for chat history, 2-step verification to increase security, and the ability for users to report and block unwanted chats.
WhatsApp announced that it will launch a campaign to inform people about the new features. “…To spread the word about the new features, we also launched a global campaign with India and the UK to educate people about how WhatsApp works to protect their private conversations,” stated Ami Vora (Head of Product at WhatsApp).
